Nicolas Winding Refn On Hollywood Stabbing And ‘The Neon Demon’

Although The Neon Demon is an undeniably violent and harrowing film, cinema is merely a facsimile of reality. During a morning visit to Hollywood’s Musso and Frank Grill (the site is featured in the film), director Nicolas Winding Refn encountered a man who had been stabbed at the restaurant’s parking lot. The man died from his injuries, and this tragedy altered the creative direction of The Neon Demon.

“Even though it was such a horrifying situation,” said Refn. “I’ve never seen anyone die before. It gave me one of the best ideas of the movie.”

To hear Refn’s full account of the Hollywood stabbing, please listen to the media bar below (actress Jena Malone can be faintly heard in the background during the press conference, as this was the first time she heard about this incident):

The Neon Demon, starring Elle Fanning, Jena Malone, and Keanu Reeves, is now playing in select theaters. Check out our CinemAddicts‘180 Second or Less’ review of the film below.